RACE 1

8-7-5-9

Lasix on for top choice #8 On the Mark (2-1), who ran well last out when second versus similar… The Bell Gable folks protected #7 Citi Creek (9-2) for the first four starts of his career without much to show for it. He’s been training well enough towards his return to action and first try for new trainer Kieron Magee… A return to his three-back race would put #5 Bubba Chrome (12-1) right in the mix with these. In the interim, he stopped badly going two turns and then had an improved try back at a sprint distance. Seems like the settle-and-make-one-run approach may work best for him…

RACE 2

2-9-5-1

He’s no world-beater, but let’s not judge that last outing too harshly for #2 Ladneedsahandler (5-1). He broke last of all that day and was way out in the middle of the track in the lane. His prior tries, when involved from the jump, were good… #9 What Say You (7-2) finished best of all the runners up close early in his last outing… Among those he finished ahead of was #5 Flaming East (3-1), who gets bug boy Barbosa in the irons today…

RACE 3

2-5-7-3

Solid debut outing for #2 How Sweet She Is (3-1), who rallied willingly for second and galloped out with the winner. Lasix on today for this newly minted three-year-old… #5 Kentucky Kiss (6-1) is the first foal out of an unraced mare but second dam Alaura Michele was a stakes winner. The work tab’s not bad for this debut runner, and owner-breeder Siena Farm generally swims in the deep end of the pool… Pretty willing debut by #7 New Rome (9-2), who couldn’t stay with the 4-5 winner but was comfortably clear of the rest…

RACE 4

2-4-7-6

Ultra-impressive win last out against one-step lesser by #2 Italian Dressing (5-1), who was 7-1 when powering home by seven lengths. Rider Barbosa jumps ship, but note that the connections, who exposed this mare to being claimed in last, protect her in this spot… #4 Big Cheeks (7-2) ran pretty well in last against two-other-than foes at Penn National in her first outing in about five months. If she can repeat it, she’s live here… It’s been a while since we’ve seen the best version of #7 Peyton Elizabeth (6-1) — that’s the version that won back-to-back allowance races last winter — but let’s see if conditioner Lacey Gaudet can find the key. Gaudet wins at a 21% clip second off the claim with a gaudy $3.10 ROI…

RACE 5

10-4-6-9

Blinkers on and a class drop for #10 Anileate (9-2), and it says here that’ll be a recipe for success. Trainer Brittany Russell is 18-for-34 when dropping horses by 50% in claiming price or more, and while this is just shy of that, it’s close enough for our purposes… That was a heavy lift last out for #4 Nibbles (6-1), who in his first off being claimed for $16,000, was not only asked to run up a level against $25,000 foes but also to skip a condition and run against never-won-three rivals. She didn’t run badly for all that, and now back in never-won-two company, she can step forward… #6 Ladro Di Fichi (8-1) lands in the right spot for trainer Claudio Gonzalez…

RACE 6

8-7-2-10

Let’s take a swing in this starter allowance with #8 Inside Risk (12-1). This veteran has mostly been a bit outfooted going 4 1/2 furlongs at CT, but he gets another eighth to play with here. The last time he left his home track, in the fall, he rallied smartly to run a pair of good races against similar to these at Delaware…#7 Great Go Go (5-1) figures to be in the early vanguard and hope to hang on late… Improved try in last for #2 Top Boss (6-1(…

RACE 7

6-5-1

Sharp debut score for #6 Skipper Sue (5-2), and the follow-up wasn’t bad either, as she rallied for second after a troubled start left her last of all. The fifth-place finisher returned to win an allowance at Gulfstream Park… Big improvement in last for #5 Fuhgeddaboudit (3-1) who finished third against MD-breds in a race that’s produced two next-out winners… Good effort in last for #1 Golden Effect (8-1), but the cutback to this short sprint distance is a question mark…

RACE 8

4-2-6-5

A couple of speed sorts in this allowance contest might spell good news for #4 Sweet Gracie (7-2), whose better efforts, including a pair of stakes placings, fit with these… In her first try in the Brittany Russell barn, #2 Icy Stare Down (5-2) gave her rivals the cold shoulder in a six-length romp… #6 Stand By You (6-1) crushed two-other-than foes at Penn National, now faces what should be a somewhat tougher group…

RACE 9

2-6-8-4

#2 Tap N Glo (3-1) was a good second in last, and the winner came right back to repeat. Trainer Ricky Sillaman does well (21%) second off the claim… Big drop here for #6 Somebody Loves Me (9-5) in her first try in the Russell barn, and she’ll win here on best. But that last was a stinker, and we’re inclined to try to beat her while keeping her in the multis… #8 Sizzling Hot (10-1) has efforts that would be competitive here and should appreciate the class relief…